USC Football Notebook: Trojans’ slogan -- ‘It’s now or never to step up’

USC coach Lane Kiffin neglected to paint a slogan on Howard Jones Field this season, but that does not mean the Trojans are without a motto.

“It’s now or never,” safety Dion Bailey said. “I feel like it goes for the entire team. Either step up now or it’s never going to happen.”

Kiffin and some players said last year’s 7-6 record is in the past, but it is clear the players feel like they must atone for a bitterly disappointing season.

“We have a sense of urgency,” Bailey said. “This is the last chance for some guys.”

Bailey, a junior, is the only member of the secondary to wrap up a starting spot after playing linebacker the past two years.

“I don’t think I could survive at that position much longer,” said Bailey, who weighs 198 pounds.

In USC’s new 5-2 defense, there are only two linebackers. Hayes Pullard will start at one spot with Lamar Dawson and Anthony Sarao competing for the other position.

Slight modification

Quarterback Max Wittek said Monday he “never considered it an option” when asked if he might transfer if he loses the quarterback competition.

This is a different answer than he gave Saturday when Wittek said, “I guess I’d have to cross that bridge if it came to it.”

Wittek said he was caught off-guard when asked about it Saturday and did not mean to imply he would transfer.

“In my head, I’m not worried about (transferring),” Wittek said. “What I meant before was that I’ve maintained a confident mindset.”

Madden feels fine

Tailback Tre Madden missed last season after tearing knee ligaments but said he is fully recovered and never thinks about his injury.

“I don’t even want to wear the (knee) brace now,” Madden said.

The sophomore, the grandson of former Los Angeles Rams tailback Lawrence McCutheon, weighs 225 pounds and figures to be the Trojans’ physical back this season.

“I feel like I’m not making any mental errors right now,” Madden said. “I feel comfortable.”

Madden and freshman Justin Davis are standing out in training camp especially with starter Silas Redd not participating in all drills as he still recovers from a torn meniscus.

Third in line

Freshman Darreus Rogers already was the favorite to be USC’s No. 3 wide receiver behind Marqise Lee and Nelson Agholor and Kiffin gave him another boost Tuesday.

“He makes a significant play every day,” Kiffin said.

No effect

The Pacific-12 Conference announced safety guidelines two weeks ago that limited the number of full-contact practices to two per week. Kiffin said it would not affect USC because the Trojans already implemented all the safety procedures.

USC is allowing the public to watch practices from nearby Dedeaux Field but attendance was sparse the first three days. Less than 20 people attended Tuesday’s practice. Practices will remain open during training camp and then be closed for the regular season.